Turn back time - Hermione Granger in the Marauders era

Chapter 2 - Hogwarts

Lily, Mary and Marlene, along with the other students of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, made their way of the Hogwarts Express and towards the carriages, escorted by Hermione and Remus. It was now very dark, so they stumbled almost blindly on to the carriages. Hermione joined her three best friends after showing the second years to their carriages. The four girls talked carelessly and without purpose as they were pulled along over the bumpy road, until they reached their destination.

Hogwarts stood as shining and welcoming as ever. It towered over them all and Hermione could not help but feel astounded by it's beauty all over again. The students were granted a few moments to admire its outsides, before they walked inside. They were greeted by Minerva McGonagall at the stairs, who had worked at Hogwarts for around twenty years, as far as any of them knew. She greeted them kindly, but rushed them inside the hall quickly and stayed outside herself so that she could meet the new first years.

The students were ushered into the hall and were seated quickly. As usual, Hermione sat with her group of friends, not far away from James, Sirius, Remus and Peter. The hall was alive with excited gossip and anticipation. They all waited eagerly for the first years to arrive, who were currently struggling not to drown in the river.

Hermione turned her attention to the teachers at the top table. Her headmaster Dumbledore was traditionally seated in the middle. He had been headmaster of Hogwarts since before any of her year were born! He was greatly respected, despite the fact that he was rarely seen at Hogwarts and was often away on secret business. Hermione and Lily suspected it was about You Know Who, as there was talk of a secret organization against him that Professor Dumbledore had founded. Next to Professor Dumbledore was an empty chair, obviously McGonagall's and then their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher: Professor Morgenway. The only member of staff missing was Hagrid, the Gamekeeper - although he didn't really count as staff, he sat at their table anyway.

They all waited patiently for the first years to arrive, with Hagrid accompanying them. The small children walked into the hall nervously, staring in amazement at the magnificence of the Great Hall.

"Look at the little Midgets!" Hermione overheard Sirius whisper to James, "If they were any smaller they'd be gnomes!"

The little-almost-gnomes waited anxiously as the Sorting Hat was brought to them by Professor McGonagall. It sang it's new song rhythmically. As always, it spoke of the founders history, then the importance of friendship between the houses and it ended with a warning of danger; as it had done the last year, and the year before that.

Lily eyed Hermione nervously, and Hermione raised her eyebrows back as the Sorting Hat's song came to it's finale. They watched, growing bored and hungry, as the first years were sorted into their houses. Finally, the sorting was finished, and with a few words, Dumbledore bade them eat.

The mouth watering and delicious meals appeared before them, and Hermione dug in straight away. Although she was well mannered, her starvation got the better of her, and she stuffed in fork full after fork full of chicken, rice, sausages and the puddings that followed. She had only just finished when the plates were cleaned immediately and Dumbledore stood up to speak.

"Welcome, welcome! To another year at Hogwarts. I trust you will all be comfortable here and learn very much in the year to follow. First of, I'd like to introduce Argus Filch, who will be replacing the late Apollyon Pringle as Caretaker." From the shadows of the corner behind the Staff table, "Filch" stepped out with a cat in his arms. He nodded miserably to the crowd of slowly clapping students that felt an immediate dislike to him, with his for-boding face, long and greasy hair, and dismissal manner. "Yes, also I must remind you not to go into the Forbidden Forest and not to use any dangerous items brought from the Zonko's jokeshop," Dumbledore smiled slightly, "And after that feat last year, definitely no fireworks!"